They included one count of failing to have written a food safety management system and five counts of failing to comply with a hygiene improvement notice requiring the implementation and maintenance of a written food safety management system.

The Venus Fish Bar in Holbrooks, Coventry

Other charges included one count of trying to sell beef and onion pies past their use-by date and one incident of placing unsafe food on the market when the chip containing the blade from a faulty chipper was discovered.

Issues were initially raised after a routine food hygiene inspection on May 16 when environmental health officers found southern fried chicken being stored at 55c when the requirement is 63c or above.

Bhambra, of The Spinney, Gibbet Hill, Coventry, and Singh Bhambra, of Leamington Road, Styvechale, Coventry, pleaded guilty to all counts.

Each defendant was ordered to pay a fine of £1,950, costs of £635.50, and a victim surcharge of £15.

Coun Phil Townshend, cabinet member for community safety and equalities, said environmental health officers always tried to work with businesses and prosecution was a last resort.

“The majority of restaurants and takeaways across the city follow the acceptable high levels of hygiene – but any found to be operating below this standard we will prosecute,” he said.

“We take our responsibility seriously and carry out regular hygiene inspections on local restaurants and cafes to ensure the safety of all customers and users in the city.”